“Have a Heart!” Say New Auxiliary Board Members of Rye YMCA
[Rye, NY. Dec. 9, 2009] Even though Valentine’s Day is still 3 months away, the halls of the Rye YMCA are brimming with 
colorful hearts hand decorated by children from the Y’s after school program. But it’s not Cupid driving this early initiative; it’s the newly formed Auxiliary Board of the Rye YMCA.
The 15 member committee arrived at the Y last week armed with “Have a Heart!” decorations to remind Y members that the annual Strong Kids fundraising campaign has launched. Kat Doyle, Sue Kelly, and Laura Kelleher, founding members of the new Auxiliary Board, organized the decorating event as a way to heighten awareness for the Y’s annual appeal and to create a sense of fun and teamwork for the group which formed in September.
“The Rye Y offers so much to adults, kids and families. It really is a community center in that there’s something for everyone -- fitness, child care, family events, art, swim lessons, group classes. We all love it here and what better way to help out the Y than with a great group of friends who feel the same way” explains Doyle.
The goal of the Auxiliary Board is to support fundraising activities of the Rye YMCA, enhance public relations and promote awareness of the Y’s mission, values and programs. Future activities planned by the Board include helping with the planning of the bi-annual Gala and of course, the ever popular spring time Rye Derby.
In addition to its founders, auxiliary members include: Becky Brooks, Sheryl Appleyard, Susan Leslie, Tanya Messina, Patty Mosher, Pam Donlin, Caroline Gadaleta, Rebecca May Rivas, Marcia Kimmel, Suzanne Ryan, Noga Ruttenberg, Kelly Jancski, Kristina Dorfman, and Susan Gervais.
The Y’s Strong Kids Campaign runs through Dec. 31st with a fundraising goal of $160,000 for its financial assistance and scholarship program.
Caption: Founding members of the Rye Y Auxiliary Board kick off the Strong Kids annual appeal with reminders to “Have a Heart” and support the Rye YMCA. Left to right: Sue Kelly, Laura Kelleher and Kat Doyle.
